Conservation efforts of Shorea balangeran in oil palm landscape: case study from Central Kalimantan

Abstract

Shorea balangeran is a threatened species native to Indonesia that can only be found in Sumatra and Borneo. Lack of information on the ecology of S. balangeran, including its distribution and abundance, becomes our difficulty in conserving the species. The aim of the research was to study the distribution and abundance of S. balangeran and its conservation status. Ecological sampling was conducted in a conserved area in the oil palm landscape in Central Kalimantan. S. balangeran was surveyed by using a census approach to determine the status of the species in a forest patch of about 539 ha. A total of 1.133 individuals of S. balangeran were counted during the observation period. Pole type was found to be dominant, in contrast, tree type was the smallest. Sampling collection was performed to ensure the regeneration of the species. There were about 1.400 saplings maintained in the nursery. Conservation efforts on a small scale, a total of 18.104 seedlings were planted in several locations. This finding suggests that dedicated land for the conservation areas in oil palm landscapes is the key to ensuring the regeneration of S. balangeran. The Implication of those findings toward a wider scale of plant conservation is discussed.